One of the biggest issues I had when I first got chickens was where to put the eggs. You may remember there was a bit of a debate about whether I needed to keep them in the fridge or not. I said no, the fella said yes. My no is based on scientific research. The fella's yes is based on The Ick. As in, Ick ... you HAVE to keep eggs in the fridge. The ick factor is only trumped by the Ack. I Acked at his Ick.
Funny thing is, when we first got the chickens I promised I'd keep the eggs in the fridge because anything else grossed him out. I lied. I knew the time would come that the eggs would be on the counter. And sure enough ...
I got my way. The eggs are out of the fridge proudly displayed in a vintage wire egg basket. I can't even begin to tell you how much easier it is to whip an egg at someone who angers me. They're right there, ready to load in an instant.
Which by the way is the only reason I wanted the eggs to be out of the fridge in the first place. Not so I could easily whip them at anyone who criticized my dirty baseboards, but because I wanted to be able to use my wire egg basket and frankly it didn't fit in the fridge.
I, like most people, am a sucker for packaging. You can take a cruddy, old, chewed up piece of gum and if you display it nice enough people will cherish it like a family heirloom. Or at the very least a 50% off Ben & Jerry's ice cream coupon. Who doesn't cherish those?
I wanted my eggs to look as beautiful as possible and for me ... that was on the counter in a vintage egg basket.
So I started to think of ways to make an equally attractive display for eggs for everyone. One that would work for people who keep their eggs on the counter or in the fridge.
It had to be easy and it had to be cheap because I'm easy and cheap. Hey. Wait ... Nevermind.
This is what I came up with.
Materials and cost breakdown
Piece of worn wood - 5" x 12" apx.
2 cupboard handles ($2 - $10 depending on what handles you use) I used Ikea Sätta handles and Ikea Metrik handles.
1 ½" hole saw or spade bit ($8 - $16 depending on quality)
drill
Steps
1. Get yourself some wood. The size you use will dictate how many eggs it will hold. I just used scrap wood I found around the house.
I cut my wood to 5" x 12". This size will hold 7 eggs.
2. Mark where you want to drill your holes. I marked exact 1 ½" circles in a staggered pattern.
3. Cut your holes with your hole saw or spade drill bit. If you bought a cheap hole saw by hole #5 you'll be cursing it and its dull teeth. Then you will have a snack to feel better and calm down before starting to drill again.
4. Attach the cupboard handles to the bottom of the board. This will require you drill a hole through the top of the board so you can insert the screws. If you don't want to see the screws from the top of your board, use a countersinking bit to countersink the screws. Then fill the holes with a mix of sawdust from your drilling and Carpenter's Glue. Proportions don't matter. Just mix a whack of it all together until it forms a paste and shove it in the holes.
Once the fill has dried, lightly sand it to smooth it out and if you're using a painted wood board, repaint the top to further camouflage your holes. Wow. "To further camouflage your holes" That sounded very formal and official didn't it? I talk good.
If you want a sort of farmy, rustic chic look use sleek metal handles with barnboard like I did in the first photo. If you want a more contemporary, clean look use straight cut wood. A slice of a spruce 1 x 6 will do the trick.
And you could go nuts with the painting. Doesn't have to be white you know. Pink, orange, blue, black and white polkadot. Whatever.
I swear to you, the fun doesn't end there. Since making these wood doohickeys I've realized they're the most versatile, weird little things I've ever made. I use them for EVERYTHING.
Case in point ... those extra Christmas balls you have that you're completely sick of putting in bowls around the house?
Ta Da.
Need a cute little way to serve appetizers or snacks?
Ta Da.
These sized holes also are the perfect fit for ... tea lights.
Ta Da.
No picture. You're just gonna have to trust me on this one.
So. It's true. If you run out and make one of these things to keep or give away for Christmas you'll be giving the gift of a Rustic/Modern eggholder/ornament displayer/snack server/tealight holder. Uh huh.
All for the low, low price of between $2.50 and $10.
And after giving this you're sure to be met with squeals of joy. There won't be an ack or an ick around. Promise.
Patti
This is brilliant!I love it! You`re ridiculously brilliant!
Ann
The bloom naturally goes away on eggs after 7-10 days. So I would not keep them out of the frig for very long. We keep a big surplus on hand starting in the fall so that when the chicks slow down their egg production we don't run out. So I just go ahead and keep all mine in the frig. Plus counter space here is at a premium and I need it for other things. Such as about a million pieces of clutter!!
Carrie
This is simply not true it can last over a month easily
Ann Roberts
Every single article I have ever read about the bloom says 7-10 days. I have never once read it to be longer. So if you want to take that chance, fine. But I choose to not let mine stay on the counter any longer than 1 week.
Jody
That is such a cool idea. And speaking of cool....did you ever get a new frig? To not keep your eggs in.
Nicola Cunha
Love it! Love it! Love it!
Thanks so much for sharing your ideas! I'm going to use this for all the visuals in your post! (eggs, decor, cone thingys)
Kathy
Pinning. Genius!
JebberA
Golly, you are brilliant. :-)
Erin Hall {i can craft that}
i love your balls karen. this persuaded me to do this for next year. Space in my fridge is at a premium so a fancy display thing isnt practical. BUt i could use for balls and if i ever entertained, Ever, for serving.
Good Job, as my 2 year old would say.
Erin
marilyn
thats awesome
Maureen
How flippin' cute is that? If you can find a way to get me more counter space to display my eggs, I'll make one of those!
Mary Werner
This is really the best thing since sliced bread! Looks great, multitasks, cheap, handmade, useful and so easy to change the look for any decor. You are a Egg Einstein!!!! Now about the glass eyeballs---just have to know more.
Five Monkeys and a Chick
I love cool and practical!!
Brenda J. M
Way to think outside the egg-carton Karen ! I love this idea and yep... someone had to say it.
Cheers,
Valerie
Karen, You are just brilliant! But I am sure that you already knew that! What a great idea! Since I am a gardener, I can see some little small clay pots in those 7 holes with some cute plants! I love this idea you came up with - You are fabulous! ~ Val ~
cheryl
Valerie, what a good idea minture garden pots ! Would make a nice small herb garden for someone who dosent have any space! Karen thanks for the egg info who knew...I been trying to talk my hubbie into chickens for years, I think he frightened it will remind him of his scooping chicken poo when he was a youngster ! Too bad i'm not very sympathtic, spell crappy too !
ev
Beautiful candelabras! Oh, and the holey wood things are clever, too!
AnnW
You are so funny! I can get the wood, but I have no idea how to make the holes. That will be my 2013 project.
Karen
AnnW - You just need one of the two drill bits I suggest. The hole saw cuts a hole into the wood. You just attach it to the end of your drill like any other drill bit. ~ karen!
SK Farm Girl
Seven? Why seven? Just curious!!! Tres cool idea! Hmmmm . . . if I make the holes a tad bit smaller this would be a great way to display my glass eyes!
Karen
That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard. I like it. 7 because it was a good size for the wood. For 12 it would just need to be wider so the eggs could fit side by side. 7 was a better looking size of board. And since my eggs come whenever, (not in a dozen) it doesn't matter to me. ~ k!
Nancyeileen
Fantastic!
So gol' darn talented and creative, you are
Cassie
Besides the "ick" factor, is there any reason to put eggs in the fridge? How long can they stay out? I know I could google this, but I'm sure others have asked.. (if they have and you answered, just don't leave my post up here)
Karen
Cassie - Eggs only need to be refrigerated of they're commercial North American eggs. The reason for this is commercial eggs have the "bloom" washed off of them. When a hen lays an egg it has a thin film on it that prevents oxygen or any bad stuff from permeating the shell of the egg. So if you have backyard eggs that have not been washed ... you don't need to refrigerate them. (although some people do because they're frightened of an unrefrigerated egg). ~ karen
Cassie
That is NOT the answer I expected! So..
#1. build a coop
#2. Get some chickens
#3. build the egg/ornament/tealight holder and use it for EGGS!!
Better yet, screw the first two, I'll put my pretty ukranian easter eggs in it!
Diane
Holy shit. You are BRILLIANT !
princesslala
Okay that is CUTE.
It's a beautiful mind, Karen.
Karen
Thank you ma'am. Hope things are good in your styling world. ~ karen!